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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To sack my cleaner

82 replies

Summerdayshaze · 23/02/2021 00:33

I’m quite recently disabled, due to cancer. I’ve employed a cleaner for two hours per week. £12.50 an hour. I leave her £25 cash and go to my sister’s house (my support bubble) while she cleans. Has her own key. Two weeks ago I had a security camera fitted at front of house (for reasons entirely unrelated) and it alerts my phone when anyone walks up the path to my front door and out again.

So last week it alerted me and she only came for 55 minutes. This week she only came for 40 minutes. She took the £25 each time. I feel like I’ve given her the benefit of the doubt but this just isn’t on. So I texted her to say I need someone who will do two hours and I had to let her go.

She replied that she’s on a diet and is doing two hours work in half the time so she can burn calories and doesn’t see why it’s a problem.

This is bollocks isn’t it? Or AIBU?

Today stairs not hoovered, mirrors not cleaned, bathroom floor not cleaned, only wiped around kitchen appliances so crumbs etc under them, dusting not done much. I can’t physically do much and am in a wheelchair.

OP posts:
Thierryhenryneedisaymore · 23/02/2021 00:36

She is taking the piss. If it really was true then she may have mentioned she was doing it in half the time but honestly, it's as ridiculous as it sounds. I would let her go.

LR33 · 23/02/2021 00:37

She's taking the piss! Sack her!

Sycamoretrees · 23/02/2021 00:38

Not only is she cheating you out of cleaning, she appears to think you're stupid. Prover her wrong and let her go! Hope you find a good cleaner soon, they are out there.

KenAdams · 23/02/2021 00:39

Sack her, she's taking the piss

RubaiyatOfAnyone · 23/02/2021 00:39

Yes, that’s bollocks. If she can do 2 hours work in 1 hour then it wasn’t two hours work. Either she’s fibbing now or she was slacking before. Either way, you need someone you can trust, and there are many people like that out there.

2020iscancelled · 23/02/2021 00:42

You’ve done the right thing.

I do know of cleaners who do “power cleaning” ie they charge for work which takes 2 hours but there would be 2 or 3 of them which means they power through the work in 1/3 or 1/2 the time.

It wouldn’t be bad if she was doing all the work and you were really pleased with the standard, but she’s clearly a liar and a rubbish cleaner to boot, cheeky cow!

Well done for nipping it in the bud immediately!

HalfWomanHalfChocolate · 23/02/2021 00:44

Please don’t waste any more time or emotional energy thinking about this. She was taking the mickey. 1hr 40 doing everything you expect at top speed... maybe... but less than half the time? Ha ha. No. She enjoyed slacking while it lasted but should have expected this would happen when her luck ran out.

Get someone decent and enjoy your cleaner home!

IdblowJonSnow · 23/02/2021 00:48

Yanbu at all OP.
You're paying her for her time as she very well knows.
5 mins leaving early, fair enough but that's all.

GuessWhosBackBackAgain · 23/02/2021 00:51

Each and every time I've had a cleaner they've started off well then got lazier and left earlier and earlier each week. I've long since given up on the idea of having a cleaner as it's impossible to find one that isn't a complete piss taker.

grapewine · 23/02/2021 00:53

You're not unreasonable. That's a total pisstake and bad excuse. She only has herself to blame.

Original poster
Summerdayshaze · 23/02/2021 00:58

I’ve really been doubting my own sanity today. It’s soul destroying enough to lose my independence. But this just feels...almost cruel. She knows the awful circumstances of why I can’t clean my own house and I put trust in her.

Thanks for the responses.

OP posts:
Lochmorlich · 23/02/2021 01:04

She’s stealing an hours pay.
It’s theft.

alexdgr8 · 23/02/2021 01:11

of course get rid of her.
but how did you get her, was she recommended.
be careful next time.
i wouldn't be leaving the house and leaving her alone there.
what if she stole something, or went through documents for ID fraud.
not until you have someone doing a good job every time, and you get a feel for their character, should you risk leaving her alone in the house.
and try to get someone who has had the vaccine.
you could stay in a different room, and all windows open; she'll need that if working hard anyway.
good luck.

Original poster
Summerdayshaze · 23/02/2021 01:15

@alexdgr8

of course get rid of her. but how did you get her, was she recommended. be careful next time. i wouldn't be leaving the house and leaving her alone there. what if she stole something, or went through documents for ID fraud. not until you have someone doing a good job every time, and you get a feel for their character, should you risk leaving her alone in the house. and try to get someone who has had the vaccine. you could stay in a different room, and all windows open; she'll need that if working hard anyway. good luck.
Yes you’re right. I’ve been far too trusting. She is just someone local I found on Facebook.
OP posts:
MissMarpleDarling · 23/02/2021 01:16

She's scamming you. Find someone else x

Chocaholic9 · 23/02/2021 01:18

Yes you did the right thing to let her go.

Chocaholic9 · 23/02/2021 01:18

You can find someone much better, try not to let it upset you.

CattyCactus · 23/02/2021 01:21

No, that’s bollocks. Tell her what you’ve posted here and get rid.
Then try and find someone who comes recommended.
Good job you’ve got your security camera (don’t let on to them) as hopefully you can see if you’re getting what you pay for. Good luck.

ChristOnAPeloton · 23/02/2021 01:23

She’s ripping you off, and can’t be trusted.

She never would’ve told you she was leaving so ridiculously early if your doorbell hadn’t caught her.

Don’t feel guilty at all. It’s entirely her own fault.

ChippyChickenChips · 23/02/2021 01:25

I had a similar experience. Paid for two people for two hours. I went over the road to my neighbour's house and observed. One left after 45 mins and the other 5 minutes later. I rang the agency to complain and they said I was mistaken
.I told them I had times recorded on my phone camera and they let it go without charge. Not a leg to stand on, obvs

Sweettea1 · 23/02/2021 01:27

Diet or not your paying her to clean your house for 2 hours. So if she's working super quick to burn her calories after 2 hours your house should be gleaming not a crumb In sight. Sack her.

YowMyHead · 23/02/2021 01:34

@ChristOnAPeloton

She’s ripping you off, and can’t be trusted.

She never would’ve told you she was leaving so ridiculously early if your doorbell hadn’t caught her.

Don’t feel guilty at all. It’s entirely her own fault.

^ this. It’s your home, with private things / info and she has shown she’s shady

I have talked to a long-standing cleaner about taking off 15 min early, but at a few weeks I’d get rid

5zeds · 23/02/2021 01:43

The best way to find a cleaner is through a recommendation. When you find the right person who can help with the parts of your life that are a struggle, this teething stage will be worth it. Keep going, the right fit is out there.

SD1978 · 23/02/2021 01:53

HmmHmm she's doing a 2 hour clean in 40 minutes as she's on a diet......that's the best lazy bastard excuse I've ever heard. Get rid of her immediately and if from an agency, complain.

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 23/02/2021 02:02

I would be concerned about the key as well!

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